In November, voters in the city of Kalamazoo will elect a mayor and six members of the city commission. This is the first election since voters approved amendments to the city charter that change the way elections are conducted in Kalamazoo.

About 20 people gathered in front of Kalamazoo City Hall Monday evening to say they want to see more women in elected office. In particular, they said, they want to see more women serve on the Kalamazoo City Commission. The only female incumbent, Barb Miller, is not running again.

"KALAMAZOO, MI — Kalamazoo City Commission candidate Daniel VanSweden has withdrawn his candidacy, leaving the field of candidates for the Nov. 3 election at 14. VanSweden, a Westnedge Hill resident, withdrew his candidacy in a letter to the Kalamazoo Gazette dated Aug. 14, citing family reasons." (Kalamazoo Gazette)